It’s not that I seek out completely useless products–they seem to find me. And when it’s your job to check out new gadgets all day, sometimes you can’t help yourself–especially when you dive into the world of Japanese gadgetry. Yesterday we took a look at the Sony Rolly. It doesn’t serve any useful function, per se, but who’s going to argue with the thing once it starts getting its groove on to “Thriller?”
Along with the Rolly, our package from importer Dynamism also included this gem. It’s a tight race, to be sure, but Infinite Bubble Wrap (it’s Japanese name is Puchi Puchi) gets my nomination for the most useless gadget yet–but damned if I can’t stop playing with the thing.

The airtight logic behind the project is this: Aside from being terrific packing material, bubble wrap is one of the most entertaining toys since the cardboard box. There is, however, one major problem with the stuff. Once you’ve run out of bubbles to pop, you’re left with a sheet of flaccid plastic, and who wants that? Infinite Bubble Wrap solves what is almost certainly one of history’s greatest problems.

IBW is a small keychain with eight buttons and a speaker on the back. Click one of the little rubber buttons, and the speaker emits a popping sound. It’s quiet and it doesn’t actually sound much like a bubble in real bubble wrap popping, but these first-generation products are often problematic. That’s what I get for being an early adopter.
Pop enough bubbles in succession, and the keychain emits different surprise noises. Sometimes it’s a dog barking, other times it’s the sound of a doorbell. I’d list all the sounds I’ve heard so far, but where’s the fun in that?
That’s pretty much all there is to this little device. It sounds dumb–and it kind of is–but at least for some people (my guess is those who fall within the category of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), it’s addictive.
Bonus points for the incredibly cool packaging, featuring Japanese children so enthralled by the device that tears stream down their faces.